TITLE:
Effect of Transport Time of up to 12 Hours on Welfare of Cows and Bulls
AUTHORS:
Fufa Sorri Bulitta, Samuel Aradom, Girma Gebresenbet
KEYWORDS:
Animal Welfare, Animal Handling, Behaviour, Swaying, Transport Time
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Service Science and Management,
Vol.8 No.2,
March
31,
2015
ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of transport time up to 12 h on welfare of bulls and cows. Cattle transport vehicle was used for the experiment. Sensors to measure temperature, relative humidity and video camera to monitor behaviour were mounted in observation pen. Eighteen measurements were performed during summer and winter for 4, 8, and 12 h transport time with three replications. To determine cortisol, glucose, lactate, and creatine kinase concentrations, blood samples were collected before and after transport from 80 bulls, 82 cows and 20 control animals. Cortisol concentration was generally inversely proportional to transport time (P